This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for southeast
Arizona was made on May 18, 2006. The next update will be made May 25th. To
report rare birds call (520) 798-1005 and press #2. You can also e-mail your
reports to keith_kamper AT comcast.net.
In this report, where directions are not given, they can be found in the
newest edition of "Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona" published by and
available from Tucson Audubon Society. Updates regarding new sites and
changes in access to sites described in this guide can be found if you point
your browser to: www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates.htm.
Several announcements follow the sightings.
Tucson (Southeast Arizona) RBA: (520) 798-1005
An asterisk * preceding a species name below indicates that the species
warrants careful documentation. Pound sign # indicates that brief
corroborative details are warranted. Please send details to the Arizona Bird
Committee at: P.O. Box 91856 Tucson, AZ 85752-1856
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
*LEAST GREBE (Sweetwater Wetlands)
*SHORT-TAILED HAWK (Chiricahua Mountains)
#RUDDY GROUND DOVE (Kino Springs Golf Course; Red Rock Feed lot)
*BUFF-COLLARED NIGHTJAR (Oro Blanco Mine)
#WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD (Miller Canyon; Madera Canyon)
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD (Ash Canyon B & B)
*YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER (Huachuca Mountains)
#SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Marana area)
#ROSE-THROATED BECARD (Patagonia Roadside Rest Stop; Madera Canyon)
*RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER (Sycamore Canyon)
*FLAME-COLORED TANAGER (Madera Canyon)
#HARRIS'S SPARROW (Patagonia)
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Tucson, Chiricahua Mountains)
CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS
A *SHORT-TAILED HAWK was observed on the 17th over the north side of the
lookout tower peak, just before you descend into Barfoot Park (Dave Jasper).
A NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL was noted at Barfoot Junction on the 13th (Rick
Taylor).
ROSE-BREATED GROSBEAK was noted again this week at the George Walker House
in Paradise (Jackie Lewis).
I-19 CORRIDOR/NOGALES AREA
*BUFF-COLLARED NIGHTJAR was noted at the abandoned Oro Blanco Mine on the
12th (Gary Crandall). Some observers have missed this species recently.
Please avoid using tapes or otherwise disturbing these birds.
The male *FLAME-COLORED TANAGER continued at Madera Canyon in the vicinity
of the Madera Kubo Gift Shop and Cabins (many observers). This is private
property within the national forest. The nearest parking is at the
Amphitheater/Nature Trail Parking lot on the right, which is shortly before
you reach Kubo. Please stay along the road; do not enter the property. Watch
for cars! A #ROSE-THROATED BECARD was reported from this location on the
16th (Ken Lamberton et al). Any additional reports/documentation will be
greatly appreciated. A #WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD was reported from the Madera
Picnic Area on the 16th (Noah Gaines). Further reports are sought.
The *RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER was observed on the 15th in Sycamore Canyon
(Stuart Healy). Sycamore Canyon is west of Nogales on Ruby Road and is
covered in both Arizona bird-finding guides. The warbler has been most often
observed from 1/2 to 2/3 of a mile down the canyon (from the pipes in the
parking lot). It frequents the confluence of Sycamore and Montana Canyons.
Montana Canyon is the first obvious canyon which meets Sycamore on the right
(west). Two tall spires on the north side of Montana Canyon are especially
obvious if one hikes up Montana and looks back. A small waterfall will be
noted just before one reaches this area. It has also been noted before and
about 200 yards beyond the confluence.
A male #ROSE-THROATED BECARD continues at the Patagonia Roadside Rest Stop
(many observers). It is at times near the large hanging nest used last year
and near the new nest about 3o yards away. From the east end of the parking
area, carefully cross the highway, descend towards the creek, and turn
right. The old and new nests, hanging from a sycamore, are visible from the
second or third well-worn areas near the fence.
A #HARRIS'S SPARROW was discovered at Mrs. Paton's home in Patagonia on the
12th (Clifford Cathers). It has been seen by multiple observers since then.
#RUDDY GROUND-DOVES were last reported from this location on the 12th (Robin
Baxter). The yard is open to the public; donations are appreciated.
#RUDDY GROUND-DOVES were present and vocal at Kino Springs Golf Course near
the clubhouse on the 15th (Stuart Healy).
TUCSON
At Sweetwater Wetlands, the *LEAST GREBE continues, with the most recent
reports putting the bird on the westernmost pond. A.
http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/sweetwater.htm
The #SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER continues northeast of Marana with the most
recent report occurring on the 18th (Clifford Cathers). It has often been
seen near a Western Kingbird. Clifford provides the following directions:
From I-10 take the Marana exit, exit 236, and go south on the east frontage
road. Take the first left, Adonis Road. This is the only signed road on
this entire route. Immediately after crossing the railroad track the road
heads south for a while and then curves back toward the east passing a
manufacturing plant and a set of white horse stables on the left.
Immediately after the horse stables, a wide dirt (not gravel) road heads
north for about a mile skirting the eastern edge of a new housing
development and ends at a stop sign. You can only turn right here and after
crossing the CAP canal, the road bends back to the north/northeast and
crosses a cattle guard. From here, it joins another dirt road (bear left)
and follow this for 2.5 miles. This is a dirt road with a soft fill sand
center but easily passable with a passenger car. The road ends at a ranch
gate with a ranch house and an odd pair of water towers up on the hill n
front of you. This time, you can only turn left and the land on the left is
State Trust Land. You'll go uphill for 2/10ths of a mile and cross under a
three-phase 230 kV transmission line. On the right is a gate with a plastic
owl. The birds were hanging around in this area on the lower voltage lines,
especially around the pole with the transformer and capacitor bank and the
pole in the distance to the south.
A #RUDDY GROUND-DOVE was noted on Sasco Road were it crosses the Santa Cruz
River on the 15th (Richard Fra). This is about 5 miles from Red Rock/I-10.
A NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was noted a Agua Caliente Park in northeast Tucson on
the 12th (Richard Carlson). It was near the second pond.
A male ROSE-BREATED GROSBEAK was noted at the outside fountain at the Prince
of Tucson RV Park at 3501 North Freeway (Rhonda Spencer). Visitors are
welcome.
A RED-FACED WARBLER was noted at a lowland private residence in Tucson on
the 17th (Sky Jacobs).
SIERRA VISTA AREA
A *YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was noted at the third picnic area, Garden
Canyon, Fort Huachuca on the 15th (Charles Melton).
#WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRDS continue at Beatty's Guest Ranch, Miller Canyon,
at the Controlled Access Site (fee required) (Tom Beatty Sr.).
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRDS continues at the Ash Canyon B & B (Mary Jo Ballator).
The yard is open to the public; donations are appreciated.
A RED-FACED WARBLER was noted at the San Pedro River NCA near marker # on
the 13th (Erika Wilson).
A NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was noted at the San Pedro River NCA at the
Kingfisher Pond on the 12th Tom Chornock).
Another NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was noted at the San Pedro River Inn by the
river close to the end of the south trail on the 13th (Rick Romea fide
Michael Marsden) and on the 16th (Ellie Beck fide Michael Marsden).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FORT HUACHUCA ACCESS: Entry to this active U.S. Army fort still requires
valid photo ID, car registration and proof of insurance (or rental
agreement). A new requirement is that Foreign Nationals must now be
sponsored by someone with a military ID card. Direct any questions about
this rule to the U.S. Army at Fort Huachuca.
http://huachuca-www.army.mil/sites/local/
BAIRD'S SPARROW HILL AND THE VACA RANCH CORRAL in the San Rafael Valley:
These locations remain off limits to birders. Birding within .25 of a mile
of the corral is prohibited. Please respect this unfortunate closure which
was brought on by adverse birder behavior.
CASA GRANDE SEWAGE PONDS: Due to a construction project, birders will be
able to view the ponds only from outside of the chain link fence.
NOGALES SEWAGE PONDS: The ponds remain closed to birders.
The Hereford Road Bridge over the San Pedro River is now open.
Thanks for your reports. Good Birding!
Keith Kamper
Tucson, Az.
Arizona was made on May 18, 2006. The next update will be made May 25th. To
report rare birds call (520) 798-1005 and press #2. You can also e-mail your
reports to keith_kamper AT comcast.net.
In this report, where directions are not given, they can be found in the
newest edition of "Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona" published by and
available from Tucson Audubon Society. Updates regarding new sites and
changes in access to sites described in this guide can be found if you point
your browser to: www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates.htm.
Several announcements follow the sightings.
Tucson (Southeast Arizona) RBA: (520) 798-1005
An asterisk * preceding a species name below indicates that the species
warrants careful documentation. Pound sign # indicates that brief
corroborative details are warranted. Please send details to the Arizona Bird
Committee at: P.O. Box 91856 Tucson, AZ 85752-1856
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
*LEAST GREBE (Sweetwater Wetlands)
*SHORT-TAILED HAWK (Chiricahua Mountains)
#RUDDY GROUND DOVE (Kino Springs Golf Course; Red Rock Feed lot)
*BUFF-COLLARED NIGHTJAR (Oro Blanco Mine)
#WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD (Miller Canyon; Madera Canyon)
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD (Ash Canyon B & B)
*YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER (Huachuca Mountains)
#SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Marana area)
#ROSE-THROATED BECARD (Patagonia Roadside Rest Stop; Madera Canyon)
*RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER (Sycamore Canyon)
*FLAME-COLORED TANAGER (Madera Canyon)
#HARRIS'S SPARROW (Patagonia)
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Tucson, Chiricahua Mountains)
CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS
A *SHORT-TAILED HAWK was observed on the 17th over the north side of the
lookout tower peak, just before you descend into Barfoot Park (Dave Jasper).
A NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL was noted at Barfoot Junction on the 13th (Rick
Taylor).
ROSE-BREATED GROSBEAK was noted again this week at the George Walker House
in Paradise (Jackie Lewis).
I-19 CORRIDOR/NOGALES AREA
*BUFF-COLLARED NIGHTJAR was noted at the abandoned Oro Blanco Mine on the
12th (Gary Crandall). Some observers have missed this species recently.
Please avoid using tapes or otherwise disturbing these birds.
The male *FLAME-COLORED TANAGER continued at Madera Canyon in the vicinity
of the Madera Kubo Gift Shop and Cabins (many observers). This is private
property within the national forest. The nearest parking is at the
Amphitheater/Nature Trail Parking lot on the right, which is shortly before
you reach Kubo. Please stay along the road; do not enter the property. Watch
for cars! A #ROSE-THROATED BECARD was reported from this location on the
16th (Ken Lamberton et al). Any additional reports/documentation will be
greatly appreciated. A #WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD was reported from the Madera
Picnic Area on the 16th (Noah Gaines). Further reports are sought.
The *RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER was observed on the 15th in Sycamore Canyon
(Stuart Healy). Sycamore Canyon is west of Nogales on Ruby Road and is
covered in both Arizona bird-finding guides. The warbler has been most often
observed from 1/2 to 2/3 of a mile down the canyon (from the pipes in the
parking lot). It frequents the confluence of Sycamore and Montana Canyons.
Montana Canyon is the first obvious canyon which meets Sycamore on the right
(west). Two tall spires on the north side of Montana Canyon are especially
obvious if one hikes up Montana and looks back. A small waterfall will be
noted just before one reaches this area. It has also been noted before and
about 200 yards beyond the confluence.
A male #ROSE-THROATED BECARD continues at the Patagonia Roadside Rest Stop
(many observers). It is at times near the large hanging nest used last year
and near the new nest about 3o yards away. From the east end of the parking
area, carefully cross the highway, descend towards the creek, and turn
right. The old and new nests, hanging from a sycamore, are visible from the
second or third well-worn areas near the fence.
A #HARRIS'S SPARROW was discovered at Mrs. Paton's home in Patagonia on the
12th (Clifford Cathers). It has been seen by multiple observers since then.
#RUDDY GROUND-DOVES were last reported from this location on the 12th (Robin
Baxter). The yard is open to the public; donations are appreciated.
#RUDDY GROUND-DOVES were present and vocal at Kino Springs Golf Course near
the clubhouse on the 15th (Stuart Healy).
TUCSON
At Sweetwater Wetlands, the *LEAST GREBE continues, with the most recent
reports putting the bird on the westernmost pond. A.
http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/sweetwater.htm
The #SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER continues northeast of Marana with the most
recent report occurring on the 18th (Clifford Cathers). It has often been
seen near a Western Kingbird. Clifford provides the following directions:
From I-10 take the Marana exit, exit 236, and go south on the east frontage
road. Take the first left, Adonis Road. This is the only signed road on
this entire route. Immediately after crossing the railroad track the road
heads south for a while and then curves back toward the east passing a
manufacturing plant and a set of white horse stables on the left.
Immediately after the horse stables, a wide dirt (not gravel) road heads
north for about a mile skirting the eastern edge of a new housing
development and ends at a stop sign. You can only turn right here and after
crossing the CAP canal, the road bends back to the north/northeast and
crosses a cattle guard. From here, it joins another dirt road (bear left)
and follow this for 2.5 miles. This is a dirt road with a soft fill sand
center but easily passable with a passenger car. The road ends at a ranch
gate with a ranch house and an odd pair of water towers up on the hill n
front of you. This time, you can only turn left and the land on the left is
State Trust Land. You'll go uphill for 2/10ths of a mile and cross under a
three-phase 230 kV transmission line. On the right is a gate with a plastic
owl. The birds were hanging around in this area on the lower voltage lines,
especially around the pole with the transformer and capacitor bank and the
pole in the distance to the south.
A #RUDDY GROUND-DOVE was noted on Sasco Road were it crosses the Santa Cruz
River on the 15th (Richard Fra). This is about 5 miles from Red Rock/I-10.
A NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was noted a Agua Caliente Park in northeast Tucson on
the 12th (Richard Carlson). It was near the second pond.
A male ROSE-BREATED GROSBEAK was noted at the outside fountain at the Prince
of Tucson RV Park at 3501 North Freeway (Rhonda Spencer). Visitors are
welcome.
A RED-FACED WARBLER was noted at a lowland private residence in Tucson on
the 17th (Sky Jacobs).
SIERRA VISTA AREA
A *YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was noted at the third picnic area, Garden
Canyon, Fort Huachuca on the 15th (Charles Melton).
#WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRDS continue at Beatty's Guest Ranch, Miller Canyon,
at the Controlled Access Site (fee required) (Tom Beatty Sr.).
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRDS continues at the Ash Canyon B & B (Mary Jo Ballator).
The yard is open to the public; donations are appreciated.
A RED-FACED WARBLER was noted at the San Pedro River NCA near marker # on
the 13th (Erika Wilson).
A NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was noted at the San Pedro River NCA at the
Kingfisher Pond on the 12th Tom Chornock).
Another NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was noted at the San Pedro River Inn by the
river close to the end of the south trail on the 13th (Rick Romea fide
Michael Marsden) and on the 16th (Ellie Beck fide Michael Marsden).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FORT HUACHUCA ACCESS: Entry to this active U.S. Army fort still requires
valid photo ID, car registration and proof of insurance (or rental
agreement). A new requirement is that Foreign Nationals must now be
sponsored by someone with a military ID card. Direct any questions about
this rule to the U.S. Army at Fort Huachuca.
http://huachuca-www.army.mil/sites/local/
BAIRD'S SPARROW HILL AND THE VACA RANCH CORRAL in the San Rafael Valley:
These locations remain off limits to birders. Birding within .25 of a mile
of the corral is prohibited. Please respect this unfortunate closure which
was brought on by adverse birder behavior.
CASA GRANDE SEWAGE PONDS: Due to a construction project, birders will be
able to view the ponds only from outside of the chain link fence.
NOGALES SEWAGE PONDS: The ponds remain closed to birders.
The Hereford Road Bridge over the San Pedro River is now open.
Thanks for your reports. Good Birding!
Keith Kamper
Tucson, Az.